Republicans Seek To Fend Off Democratic Challengers In Wilton

Republican Toni Boucher, of Wilton, is seeking to retain the 26th state senate district.Photo Credit: Contributed photoWilton resident Phil Sharlach is representing the Democrats as he seeks to topple incumbent Republican Toni Boucher in state Senate District 26.Photo Credit: Sharlach For SenateRepublican state Rep. Gail Lavielle is seeking her third straight term for the 143rd District.Photo Credit: Contributed photoDemocrat Keith Rodgerson is seeking to pick up the 143rd District for the party that last won it in 2008.Photo Credit: Contributed photo

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WILTON, Conn. -- Wilton's Toni Boucher is hoping to keep her formidable winning streak alive as she seeks her fourth term as state senator for the 26th District. Along with Wilton, the district includes Redding and parts of Bethel, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Weston, and Westport.

She had previously served for 12 years as state representative for the 143rd District.

The Republican has made winning a habit as she pushes for the state to control its spending.

Her Democratic opponent is Philip Sharlach, a Wilton resident for more than 30 years. He has a business background and said he state should increase its investment in Fairfield County and work to repair the state's infrastructure.

With rare exceptions, the last one being in 2008 when Democrat Peggy Reeves won, Republicans have counted the 143rd District, which is centered in Wilton, as one of their strongholds.

Rep. Gail Lavielle is hoping to make it three in a row after first capturing the district in 2010 from Reeves. The district also includes parts of Norwalk and Westport.

She is ranking member of the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee and a member of the Appropriations, Education, and Higher Education Committees. She also sits on the Higher Education Consolidation Committee and is a member of the Manufacturing Caucus and the Long Island Sound Caucus.

She said the state has been spending excessively and that there has to be a firmer grip on finances. She also advocates improving the area and state's transportation infrastructure.

Her Democratic opponent is Keith Rodgerson, a resident of the Georgetown area of Wilton. He was born in Bridgeport and is a 1993 graduate of Joel Barlow High School in Redding.

He is running on a platform of local development and putting local interests first.